Racing Post Celebrates 40 Years at the Heart of Racing!
Wednesday, 15th April, 2026: Racing Post, one of the world’s leading racing media brands, marks its 40th anniversary today, having first gone to print on 15 April 1986.
- From a single daily newspaper distributed across Britain and Ireland in newsagents, supermarkets and racehorses, Racing Post has grown into a multimedia platform reaching 2.5 million monthly web users, 430,000 monthly active app users, and a daily print readership of 100,000 across more than 6,400 betting shops
- The brand is now part of Spotlight Sports Group, a global media and technology company powering trusted racing, betting, and sports experiences worldwide
- To mark the milestone, Racing Post is launching RP40: a year-long campaign celebrating four decades of heritage and the innovation shaping the next forty years, anchored by a special anniversary logo built entirely from the front pages that tell the brand’s story
After four decades at the centre of British and Irish racing culture, Racing Post is today celebrating its 40th anniversary with the launch of RP40, a campaign honouring the people, moments, and stories that have defined one of sport’s most trusted media brands.
Founded by the vision and backing of Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai, Racing Post first went to print on 15 April 1986, arriving in shops and on racecourses as a tabloid dedicated entirely to the sport. From its very first edition, featuring a colour photograph of Sonic Lady on the front page and the headline “We’re Off!”, Racing Post distinguished itself with a bold editorial style and a focus on expert racing analysis.
In the years since, the brand has evolved from a daily newspaper into a fully integrated multimedia platform, delivering expert analysis, data, and editorial to millions of fans through web, app, print, and partner integrations.
Today, Racing Post reaches 2.5 million monthly web users and 430,000 monthly active app users, with its print edition achieving a daily readership of 100,000, delivered to over 6,400 betting shops across the UK and Ireland.
At the heart of the ‘RP40’ campaign is a specially commissioned anniversary logo: the iconic Racing Post “R”, recreated entirely from 40 years of front pages. Each edition captured within it represents a moment in racing history: including a winner tipped, a story broken, a career launched. Together, they form a visual tribute to the journalism, expertise, and passion that has defined Racing Post across four decades.
The RP40 campaign will run throughout 2026, bringing together fans, colleagues, partners, and alumni around a shared celebration of racing. Across digital, social, and print channels, Racing Post will mark the anniversary with a rolling programme of editorial features, archive storytelling, and tributes to the people and moments that have shaped the brand over the past four decades.
Tom Kerr, Editor of Racing Post, said:
“The Racing Post was founded on the premise that racing fans deserved more and the belief of a pioneering crew of journalists that they could build something those fans would come to love. The newspaper survived, prospered and grew – and 40 years on we’re still driven by the same instinct and love of horseracing as our founders.
“To celebrate this milestone we’re inviting many of the legendary journalists, brilliant analysts and stars of the sport who have been part of our history to return to the fold in our anniversary year. This series, which will run through the rest of the year, is a celebration of the insight and innovative thinking that defines our future as well as our past.”
About Racing Post
Racing Post is a market-leading multimedia sports publisher, combining premium data, award-winning journalism, integrated betting experiences and expert tipping services. Since launching in 1986 it has become the definitive destination for horse racing news, cards, and results, while delivering unrivalled sports coverage across print, digital, and social platforms. Today it reaches 2.5 million monthly web users, 430,000 monthly active app users, and achieves a daily print readership of 100,000 across more than 6,400 betting shops in the UK and Ireland.
About Spotlight Sports Group
Spotlight Sports Group is a global media and technology company with a clear purpose, to set the standard for trusted, customer driven experiences across global racing and sports betting. Guided by our mission to create experiences that fans love, we combine more than 40 years of heritage with bold innovation to deliver award winning content, data and digital products. With over 400 employees worldwide, our portfolio includes Racing Post, Pickswise, myracing and Free Super Tips, as well as the international marketing agency ICS digital and ICS translate. Together, we partner with leading operators, racing organisations, affiliates and media groups to power growth and engagement across the industry.
Notes to editors:
For any questions, please contact alex.cottee@spotlightsportsgroup.com